Welcome to the website of Catholic Kakegawa Church. I am grateful that you have found your way here. Our parish is a faith community made up of people from different cultures, languages, and life stories, yet united by one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. Whether you are a long-time parishioner, a visitor, a migrant far from home, or someone simply searching for meaning and hope, you are warmly welcome here. As a parish, we strive to be a home of prayer, welcome, and service. We gather to celebrate the Eucharist, to listen to the Word of God, and to support one another in our joys and struggles. In a busy and often challenging world, we hope our church can be a place where hearts are strengthened, burdens are shared, and hope is renewed. I invite you to walk with us— to pray with us, to grow with us, and to serve with us— as we continue our journey of faith together in Kakegawa. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones, and may this parish be a place where you experience God’s nearness and love. With prayers and warm greetings, Fr. Roed Desamparado, CM Catholic Kakegawa Church Parish Priest
Message from the Pastor
Dear Parishioners, As we enter the holy season of Lent this month of March, the Church once again invites us to slow down, reflect, and return to the heart of God. In his Lenten message, Pope Leo reminds us of three simple yet powerful practices: Listening, Fasting, and Togetherness. These are not merely external observances; they are concrete actions that reveal a truly prayerful heart. A prayerful heart knows how to listen. Before speaking, before judging, before reacting, it listens—first to God in silence, and then to others with humility. In our busy lives here in Japan, filled with work, responsibilities, and personal concerns, listening becomes an act of love. When we listen attentively, we make space for God’s voice and for the stories and struggles of our brothers and sisters. A prayerful heart practices fasting. Fasting is not only about food. It is about taming our emotions, desires, and impulses—especially those that can harm, offend, or hurt others and even ourselves. It is fasting from harsh words, from impatience, from pride. As Pope Leo beautifully says, let us ask for “the strength that comes from the type of fasting that also extends to our use of language, so that hurtful words may diminish and give way to a greater space for the voice of others.” In our families and communities, how much peace would grow if we learned to fast from words that wound? A prayerful heart journeys together. Lent is not a solitary walk. It is a pilgrimage we make as one community. Even when it is difficult—even when personalities clash or misunderstandings arise—we are called to remain together. Togetherness means welcoming the weak, being patient with the difficult, and walking with those who struggle. As Pope Leo encourages us, may our communities become places “where the cry of those who suffer finds welcome, and listening opens paths towards liberation… building a civilization of love.” I would also like to express my deep gratitude for the successful Parish Assemblies we held in February in both Iwata and Kakegawa. Thank you to all who prepared, participated, and generously shared your ideas. Your presence and cooperation show that our parishes are alive and hopeful. The plans and activities we discussed for this year will only bear fruit if we continue to work together. I humbly encourage everyone to cooperate, to participate actively, and to support one another as we move forward. Dear friends, let us pray for a Lent that draws us closer to God and to those most in need. May this season deepen our listening, purify our hearts, and strengthen our unity. I entrust you, your families, and our parish communities of Iwata and Kakegawa to the Lord’s loving care. May this Lent be meaningful and filled with quiet hope.
Catholic Kakegawa Church
“Kakegawa Catholic Church – where faith and community meet.”
Living in harmony with the gentle rhythm of life in the quiet city of Kakegawa, Kakegawa Catholic Church began its journey as a small community of faith and has grown into a vibrant parish that warmly welcomes people from diverse backgrounds. Rooted in the Gospel and committed to service, the church is a place where prayer, communion, and engagement with society come together as one. Here, a community is formed—one that prays together, learns together, and serves one another. Our Journey What began as a modest gathering of the faithful gradually developed into a parish community through the steady pastoral guidance of its clergy, the generous dedication of volunteers, and the faithful participation of families. This growth has not been measured merely by numbers, but by a deepening of spiritual life. Through regular liturgical celebrations, preparation for the sacraments, catechesis, and pastoral care for children, youth, and the elderly, the identity of the parish has been carefully nurtured and strengthened over time. An Open and Multicultural Church In recent years, Kakegawa has become home to people of various cultural backgrounds, including migrants and families of workers from overseas. This diversity has enriched the life of the parish and become a source of strength. Through multilingual liturgies, cultural celebrations, and collaborative ministries, parish life has grown more vibrant, deepening bonds of mutual respect and friendship. Special care is given to families, young people, and those who may feel isolated, ensuring that all find a place of belonging within the Church.
Proclaiming Christ
We encounter Christ in Sacred Scripture, and we continue to seek His presence in the celebration of the Mass, in the people around us, and in the events of our daily lives. We pray for one another, and both adults and children are filled with the joy of faith. For the sake of our brothers and sisters who do not yet know Christ, we proclaim this Good News with our lives.
Sharing Responsibility and Supporting One Another
We are a small flock, yet each of us has something to offer. For every member of Kakegawa Church, for Shizuoka Prefecture, for the Church in Japan, and for the Church throughout the world, we offer our strength—our personal efforts and our shared commitment as a parish community. We continually ask ourselves what is needed now and what is being asked of us. Like Christ, who came for the salvation of all people, we strive to offer ourselves in service.
Gathered as Church, Sent Forth from the Church
Christ invites all people. Kakegawa Church seeks to be a place that helps many respond to His call. We aim to be a community where we pray for one another and support those who are sick, those who are sorrowful or suffering, and those carrying heavy burdens. Keeping our eyes always open to society and the wider world, we hope and work for the coming of God’s Kingdom here in Kakegawa, throughout Japan, and across the world.
Vision
